MLB News

Gsellman helps Mets close home slate with win

By
Anthony DiComo and Chris Bumbaca

September 27, 2017

NEW YORK -- Although so many of the Mets' disappointments this summer revolved around injuries, a few of their players simply underachieved. One of those, Robert Gsellman, made sure to finish his rookie season in top form Wednesday, delivering six strong innings in a 7-1 win over the Braves at

NEW YORK -- Although so many of the Mets' disappointments this summer revolved around injuries, a few of their players simply underachieved. One of those, Robert Gsellman, made sure to finish his rookie season in top form Wednesday, delivering six strong innings in a 7-1 win over the Braves at Citi Field.Holding Atlanta to one run on an Ozzie Albies RBI single, Gsellman finished with a positive record of 8-7 despite his 5.19 ERA. On this night, he out-pitched Braves rookie Sean Newcomb, who allowed three runs in five innings.

"It's been an up-and-down year," Gsellman said. "I pitched poorly. I had my great moments. Overall, I just think I need to get stronger, get in better shape and just look forward to next year. I believe I need to get a lot stronger, in a lot better shape, run a little more, come back and open some eyes next spring."The Mets piled on late against Atlanta's bullpen, with Dominic Smith cracking a three-run homer, and Jose Reyes -- in what might have been his final plate appearance at Citi Field as a Mets player -- adding an RBI double.

All four of those runs off Jim Johnson were unearned due to a Freddie Freeman fielding error.

"[Gsellman] was good," said Freeman, who has lost nine pounds in the last four days dealing with an illness. "We had our opportunities and we just didn't get it done tonight."MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDCatch me if you can: Since Travis d'Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki moved into a timeshare behind the plate in mid-August, the Mets' two primary catchers have paced the team's offense. One day after Plawecki homered and sparked the game-winning rally in a walk-off victory over the Braves, d'Arnaud drove home all three runs against Newcomb. His two-out, fifth-inning single gave the Mets their first lead, which they never relinquished."I think a lot of it has to do with just being accountable for my work," d'Arnaud said.

With first base open, Newcomb regretted his pitch selection to d'Arnaud that led to the two-run single."I almost wish I walked d'Arnaud there," Newcomb said. "I was trying to be careful there. I just left that curveball up."Wizard of Ozzie: The Braves briefly led in the third inning thanks to Albies, who ripped the second of his three hits through the right side to plate Lane Adams. Albies rapped out five hits in the final two games of the series, and he also stole two bases off Gsellman.

QUOTABLE
"I just go about my job the way you're supposed to, I think, and at the end of the year is when I sit down and take a look at things, and look at what's occurred and what's happened and what's next. This past week, only because of all the questions, has it been hard to deal with. My focus is trying to get the team ready, and every day it's something about me not being here. I'll worry about that when the time comes." -- Terry Collins, on his future as Mets manager

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Smith's long ball gave the Mets sole possession of the National League lead with 221 home runs. With a .434 winning percentage, the Mets could become the second-losingest team ever to lead its league in homers, behind only the 2014 Rockies (.407).WHAT'S NEXTBraves:Julio Teheran and the Braves will begin a four-game series in Miami on Thursday to finish out the season. The right-hander is 5-2 with a 2.50 ERA in eight starts at Marlins Park in his career. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET.Mets: Following their final off-day on Thursday, the Mets will open a season-ending three-game set Friday in Philadelphia. Matt Harvey will make his final start in the 7:05 p.m. ET opener, looking to improve upon his 11.78 ERA in five outings since coming off the disabled list.Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.